Hi guys. I just found out that Moonie has severe malocclusion of her teeth, and needs to have them trimmed and filed with anesthetic, which is going to cost me nearly 400 dollars, and the vet is saying that I may have to pay for this to be done every 3-6 months.

I seriously don't know what I'm going to do, I love my bunny to death and it pains me to think that I can't afford to take care of her. I now realize I should have probably checked her more thoroughly before buying her from the pet store. I don't want to be one of those horrible people who gets a rabbit and then abandons it because they can't afford to take care of it. I really wasnt anticipating this to be so expensive.

I'm scared, I don't know what to do. I mean I can get the money together, it just might take a while. She's still eating okay, but I'm worried that I won't be able to get the funds together in time. I feel so irresponsible right now, taking in a pet without thinking something like this might happen. I thought I was prepared, I really tried to learn everything I could. I mean these things happen, right? I just hate to think that I'm one of those terrible people who is frivolous with animals.

I just kinda want to know that I'm not alone here, that this has happened to someone else..

Hazel

1483 posts

10/16/2012 3:50 PM

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that! Maybe your vet might be willing to do a payment plan? If it came down to her not eating you don't think he would turn you away, do you? Most vets do payment plans if necessary, I think.

"You ain't buna fide!"

bullrider76543Joplin MO

1291 posts

10/16/2012 3:59 PM

Have you looked into veterinary insurance? I am so sorry that you are having so much trouble.

For what it's worth, the back ones can't be checked by you, the vet has a special tool to check them. I don't know what I would do how long have you had her?

NikitaSue20Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

132 posts

10/16/2012 5:58 PM

I would probaly try to look into a cheaper vet. I know we want the best for our buns but it may be the only way to keep her.

NikitaSue20Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

132 posts

10/16/2012 6:00 PM

and don't worry your not nearly as bad as me. I was super immature and didn't watch my rabbit close enough and now i'm adding four additions to the rabbit population problem. don't beat yourself up too much

Yawnu

19 posts

10/16/2012 6:09 PM

I've had her for 2 months now.
I think I'll ask the vet about payment plans. The main issue with finding a cheaper one is that I live in a very small town area so the vet I went to is literally the only one nearby that deals in exotics, without having to drive more than 2 hours. sigh...

jerseygirlAustralia

Forum Leader

18402 posts

10/16/2012 6:43 PM

I would consider a 2nd opinion.

Teeth problems crop up in rabbits all the time. Not always from malocclusion either.
Don't feel bad. A friend had a rabbit with a malocclusion and he actually was able to keep them worn down from eating hay pretty well. It meant less trims. I would transition Moonie onto a coarser hay now. Mature oat would be great.

If it is just the incisors that are maloccluded, some rabbits have them clipped at the vet and don't need to be anaethetized. I've sat in the waiting room and seen someone hand over their rabbit, and have it back within 10 minutes after the teeth were trimmed.

Another option is looking at having the incisors removed. Expensive but it should be a one-off expense. Rabbits cope fine without their incisors.

Again, I would seek a second opinion about the malocclusion and options to treat.

Whoever says "It's only a rabbit" has obviously never loved a rabbit.

Yawnu

19 posts

10/16/2012 9:02 PM

Its not just her incisors though unfortunately, basically all of her back teeth have ridges instead of being nice and flat like they should be. Her bottom incisors were literally overlapping onto the front and the top ones curled all the way back up to her top palette. Luckily they were able to trim just the incisors for now, but the vet told me that it would probably wind up being necessary for a full correction of the teeth. I'm going to do what you said though and switch to oat hay; I was also told that adding a little sea sand to the hay (like sprinkling a bit of salt and pepper on eggs) would also assist in teeth wearing.

She's still young, so now that her incisors are nice and short I'm going to see if giving coarser hay and the sand help correct the issue she has somewhat. I'm hoping it can at least keep the issue at bay until I can get some money together should the situation become dire.

Radhika

68 posts

10/16/2012 11:20 PM

Aww Yawnu, I feel so bad for you and Moonie. You couldn't have known about this and it wasn't caused by anything you did. *hugs*

NikitaSue20Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

132 posts

10/17/2012 6:46 AM

I think thats a really good idea! all the best of luck!!!

Sarita(Dallas)

18870 posts

10/17/2012 7:00 AM

I've never heard of the sand - do you think she will eat that? I would worry about sand causing blockage though.

But I understand what you mean about the back teeth and ridges, I had this with my rabbit Pepe and he needed molar trims regularly. My 2 seniors are now having the same issue with the ridges as well and it's a constant battle to keep their teeth trimmed.

How old is your bunny? You've said you have only had her for 2 months, is she still very young?

tanlover14

3611 posts

10/17/2012 8:23 AM

I'm so sorry for you and your bun -- On top of all the other advice you've been given -- I would check into CareCredit. It's like a bunny credit card but gives you different payment plans to make for your bun. My BF was awarded $500 on the spot within a couple of minutes. It isn't a long-term solution but just in case something serious that is an emergency does come up (such as she begins not eating, ect.) this may be a back-up for you until you can come up with a long-term solution.

NikitaSue -- shush! We all make mistakes as bun parents - it's all about learning from those mistakes! You're not a bad bun parent either! It's about doing the right thing for those little new buns and ensuring they go to good homes and then fixing your bun as soon as possible!

Sarita(Dallas)

18870 posts

10/17/2012 8:38 AM

Definitely check out Care Credit - make sure your vet accepts this too. I agree it's not a long term solution but if you spend over $300 you can get the "promotional" plan which can allow you to pay out the charged amount without finance charges as long as it's paid on time and paid in full by the promotional period which is usually 12 or 18 months.

Yawnu

19 posts

10/17/2012 10:10 AM

Is CareCredit even available in Canada? That sounds like a good idea.

Sarita, the vet recommended the sand to me, youre only supposed to use very little a day to prevent blockage. : ) and Moonie is only about 4 months old, now.

NikitaSue20Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

132 posts

10/17/2012 10:25 AM

Thanks Tanlover =D

Malp_15British Columbia, Canada

601 posts

10/17/2012 12:19 PM

I don't believe we have CareCredit here, but we have PetCard and it's basically the same thing. Talk to your vet and see who they deal with, most vets have pamphlets for multiple companies.

jerseygirlAustralia

Forum Leader

18402 posts

10/17/2012 5:32 PM

I'd be cautious about the sand too. Rabbits in the wild do naturally ingest dirt and sand but just watch it doesn't put Moonies off of her hay. You definitely don't want her avoiding it. It's the action of tooth against tooth (from chewing) that wears them down.

Whoever says "It's only a rabbit" has obviously never loved a rabbit.

lindsay715NJ, USA

149 posts

10/17/2012 5:40 PM

One of my rabbits also had very bad malocclusion. Although it is possible that the condition might require repeat visits, if the teeth are treated properly the first time they have a good chance of growing in correctly. Wesley only had problems with his incisors, but I assume that if all the teeth are cut to an even level, they can grow in properly. Best of luck.

LittlePuffyTailNew Brunswick, Canada

Forum Leader

14869 posts

10/18/2012 3:25 AM

I don't have any helpful advice that hasn't already been mentioned. I just want to chime in that I'm so sorry you are having such difficulties with Moonie. I'm really hoping you and your vet can figure out a way to keep her healthy that won't be too hard on your wallet. I just love Moonie, she's just the cutest.